Wall paneling

ABSTRACT

AN ASSEMBLY OF UNIQUELY INTERFITTING WALL PANELS MUTUALLY ADAPTED FOR COVERING THE SURFACE OF PERPENDICULARLY RELATED WALLS SO AS TO OBSCURE ANY IMPERFECTIONS IN THE JOINT THEREBETWEEN WHILE SUITABLY COMPENSATING FOR SAME, THERE BEING MEANS FOR SECURING SAID PANELS TO THE UNDERLYING WALL AND STUDDING AND WITH A MALE AND FEMALE COOPERATIVE LOCKING MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING ADJACENT PANELS.

J. W. MOORE WALL PANELING Feb. 23, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 12,1969 w nn FIG. I

INVENTOR JOHN W. MOORE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,564,788 WALLPANELING John W. Moore, St. Louis, Mo., assignor to Swan Corporation,St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed May 12, 1969, Ser. No.823,818 Int. Cl. E04b 2/06, 2/72 US. Cl. 52-270 4 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in generalto wall construction and, more particularly, to panels adapted forinterfitting relationship upon mutually perpendicular surfaces forobscuring the underlying joint therebetween. Heretofore with theutilization of wall panels for finishing perpendicularly related wallsurfaces considerable effort and expense was necessarily undertaken toassure that the joint therebetween was true and accurate since anyimperfection therein would occasion a corresponding misalignment in therelationship of the panels with consequent marring of the appearance. Inwall constructions utilizing drywall it has been requisite to carefullycut the meeting edge portions of the sheets or boards to assure properjoint formation. Such cutting has proved consistently to be timeconsuming and tedious, as well as presenting enhanced costs in materialsas Well as labor. Mitering of mating edges has also been a necessarystep in bringing about a true joint. Problems in creating snug jointshave been encountered quite consistently in the matter of the surroundfor bathtubs which are presented within a wall recess. The problems ofwater seepage through ill-formed joints has provided a further source ofaggravation from inaccuracies developed in the joint.

SUMMARY 'OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the presentinvention to provide paneling adapted for disposition upon the adjacentsurfaces of planarwise perpendicularly related walls to fully obscureany imperfections in the developed joint, thereby decoratively maskingsame from view.

It is another object of the present invention to provide wall panelingcomprised of interfitting components, the use of which eliminates thenecessity of forming true and accurate, closely abutting joints betweenperpendicular wall surfaces, thus bringing about substantial economiesin installation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide wall panelingof the type stated which may be most economically manufactured and whichmay be speedily installed in operative position by a workman withoutrequiring complex tools and instruments.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide wall panelingof the type stated which is conducive to rapid construction withrelatively reduced costs in labor and material since basic inaccuraciesin underlying joints are fully compensated therefor, as well as for anyout of plumb studding or walls.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide wallpaneling of the type stated which may be used for a range of walldimensions and which are especially suited for bathtub surrounds.

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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevational view ofWall paneling constructed in accordance with and embodying the presentinvention, illustrating the same in fully operative relationship asconstituting a bathtub surround.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the side panel at the left side of FIG.1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the side panel at the right handside of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the center panel.

FIG. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 6-6 ofFIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal transverse sectional view taken on the line 77 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 8 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line 88 ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical transverse sectional view takensubstantially on the line 88 (as well as line 77) of FIG. 4 andillustrating another means of securing wall paneling constructed inaccordance with and embodying the present invention to support surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ,EMBODIMENT Referring now by referencecharacters to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention, A indicates generally a wall recess, such asdeveloped for receiving a bathtub 1, which recess upwardly of saidbathtub is constituted of side walls 2, 2' and an intermediate wall 3.Said walls 2, 2 and 3 may be preferably of conventional construction andcomprising drywall, such as wallboards 4, secured, as by nailing, uponstudding, designated 5. It is to be recognized that the aforesaid wallconstruction is set forth for purposes of illustration as the presentinvention may be utilized with equal facility with other wallstructures. As may best be seen in FIG. 2 the wallboards 4 of side walls2, 2' form joints with the wallboard of wall 3, as at 6, 6. It is notnecessary that the joint-forming edges of the related wallboards form asnug joint so that any inadvertent spacing therebetween resulting fromlack of plumb or the like is without moment. Thus, there is obviated anyneed for careful cutting of the wallboards 4 or any need to effectmitering for joint formation. Mounted upon the outwardly presented faceof wall-board 4 of intermediate wall 3 is a center panel 7 formedpreferably of molded plastic material, such as a resin-bonded glassfiber reinforced construction and being secured upon said wallboard bymastic or other equally effective adhesive. Along its upper transversemargin, center panel 7 is provided with a vertical flange 8 which isinwardly offset from the main plane of said panel 7 for dispositionagainst studding upwardly of the adjacent wallboard 4 for securementthereto as by nails or the like. Immediately beneath flange 8, centerpanel 7 is contoured to provide a projection 9 having an uppersubstantially horizontal surface 10, a front vertical surface 11, and alower, substantially horizontal surface 12, which latter is of lessextent than upper surface 11 so as to accommodate wallboard 4 wherebythe upper margin thereof will abut against the underface of uppersurface 11 (FIG. 6) and with the inward face of said wallboard 4 beingsubstantially planar aligned with flange 8. In its lower central portionpanel 7 is provided with an inwardly extending soap dish-forming recess13 which will project through an opening 14 cut in the related wallboard4. Throughout its lower transverse marginal portion center panel 7 isprovided with a bead 15 for development of a waterproof joint with theadjacent surface of bathtub 1.

Provided for disposition upon side walls 2, 2 are side panels 16, 16',respectively, which are of like contour but of opposite arrangement soas to constitute mutual mirror images. Each side panel 16, 16' is alsopreferably formed from molded plastic material, such as a resin-bondedglass fiber reinforced construction, being relatively thin, yet sturdyand each is affixed to the related section of wallboard 4 by mastic orthe like. A marginal flange 17, 18 is provided along the outer verticalmarginal portion and along the upper transverse marginal portion,respectively, of said panels 16, 16' for flatwise disposition againstthe adjacent studding 5 presented beyond the proximate wallboard 4; saidflanges 17, 18 being secured to said studding 5, as by nails or thelike. Immediately inwardly of said flanges 17, 18 each panel 16, 16 iscontoured to present a vertical and a horizontal projection 19, 20,respectively, which are coextensive with the side and transverse portionof said panels 16, 16' to appear as a substantially continuousdecorative border. Said projections 19, 20 are of like dimension, beingof such extent along their outer surfaces, as at 21, 22, respectively,to present the adjacent flanges 17, 18, respectively, spacedly inwardlyof the main plane of said side panels 16, 16 for planar alignedrelationship with the adjacent wallboard 4. The inner portions 23, 24 ofprojections 19, 20, respectively, are of less extent than the outerportions 21, 22. Said projections 19, 20 of side panels 16, 16 are ofsubstantially like dimension as projection 9 of center panel 7 so thatwhen panels 16, 16' and 7 are in operative relationship the saidprojections will constitute a seemingly continuous decorative band.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 7, it will be seenthat each of said side panels 16, 16' in its inner or centerpanel-adjacent portion is contoured to provide an inwardly andrearwardly extending arcuate portion, as at 25, 25', respectively. Saidprojections 20 are continuous along said arcuate portions 25, 25' sothat each of said projections 20 comprehends a corresponding arcuateportion, as indicated at 26. Adjacent the inner end edge of arcuateportions 25, 25, the related projections 20 are cut away, as at 27, topresent a rearwardly opening, generally C-shaped recess forming thus arecess for receiving the adjacent, confronting portion of projection 9of center panel 7 (FIG. 2). By this arrangement a positive male-femaletype interengagement is brought about between side panels 16, 16 andcenter panel 7 to thereby integrate same into what might be considered aunitary surround. By this feature it will be seen that the jointdeveloped between walls 2 and 3, and 2 and 3 are completely masked sothat any imperfections therein are totally obscured, including, forexample, out of plumb walls. Furthermore, by this unique relationshipbetween the aforesaid panels said side panels 16, 16' may be disposedrelatively lengthwise of center panel 7 for accommodating bathtubs ofvarying length as the arcuate portions 25, 25 provide requisite latitudefor such lengthwise relative adjustment. The interflt of side panels 16,16' with center panel 7 cause a completed appearance to be accorded thetreated wall recess and without the necessity of having effected amitering or truing of the underlying Wall joints.

As suggested in FIG. 3 side panel 16 may be suitably apertured, as at28, to allow for the projection therethrough of the customary hardware,such as the faucet indicated at 29.

From the foregoing it is also apparent that wall panels 16, 16' and 7may be quickly and easily mounted upon the wall surfaces withoutrequiring special tools so that the same are amenable for installationby the average home owner. It is, of course, apparent that caulking maybe provided to the corner seams and along the joint between the bathtub1 and the lower bead-forming edges of said panels 16, 16' and 7 toassure of appropriate waterproofing.

In view of the foregoing it is to be seen that panels constructed inaccordance with the present invention may 4 be utilized with wall jointsbetween perpendicularly related surfaces so that the present inventionshould not be considered as restricted to use only in wall recesses forbathtub surround purposes.

Referring now to FIG. 9, 36 identifies a wall panel which corresponds topanels 16, 16' and 7 above described but differs therefrom in that it isdevoid of marginal flanges, as at 8 in panel 7 and 17, 18 on side panels16, 16'. Additionally, the projections 9, 19 and 20 on said panels 7,16, 16' are replaced by continuous projection 37 which is of arcuatecross section to present a bulging, as it were, outwardly from the mainplane of the related panel 36 thereby creating a continuous recess 38opening toward the adjacent wallboard 4 or other like structuralcomponent. The upper edge of projection 37 terminates spacedly from theproximate wallboard thereby creating a passage 39 therebetween. Fixed,as by suitable adhesive, to the inward or wallboard-directed face ofsaid projection 37, throughout its extent, is a section of compressiblefoam material of any conventional composition and having its maximumdimension normally greater than the distance between the proximatewallboard 4 and the inner face of projection 37 so that upon applicationof panels 36 against wallboards 4 the said foam section 38 will becompressed. Adhesive materials are utilized to secure the outer face ofsaid sections 38 to wallboard 4 for establishing effective adhesion ofsaid panels 36 to wallboards 4. In order to finish the appearance ofsaid panels 36 an elongated key 40, as of suitable plastic material, isprovided which incorporates a wedge-shaped lower portion 41 having amaximum extent greater than the width of passage 39 so as to allow formovement therethrough and there being a locking recess 42 immediatelythereabove for receiving the end edge 39 of projection 37. The upperportion of said key 40 is suitably contoured for decorative finishingpurposes.

Wall panel 36 with its continuous projection 37 is adapted to bedisposed over any continuous flat surface without requiringinterleafing, or interfitting, with the base surface, such as drywall,or necessitating any cutting of such surface in any manner as wouldexpectedly be required during remodeling of old tile walls.

It is to be understood that the horizontal projections 37 on side panelssuch as 16, 16' terminate spacedly from the inner ends thereof whereatthere are provided cut away portions for snugly accepting the projection37 on the center panel, such as 7.

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to obtain byLetters Patent is:

1. Wall paneling construction comprising at least a first panel and asecond panel; said second panel being presented in general planar,normal relationship to said first panel; said first panel having amounting flange adjacent its upper marginal portion and an outwardlyprojecting portion in immediate adjacency to said mounting flange; saidsecond panel having an outer vertical edge, an inner vertical edge andan upper horizontal edge; a mounting flange provided adjacent themarginal portions of said outer vertical edge and said upper horizontaledge; said second panel having an outwardly projecting portion ofsubstantially like extent as the outwardly projecting portion of saidfirst panel and located in immediate adjacency to said upper marginalmounting flange; the outwardly projecting portion of said second panelbeing cut away at its end proximate said first panel to define a recess;said recess having dimensions slightly greater than that of theoutwardly projecting portion of said first panel for receiving same toeffect cooperative interengagement therebetween; said second panelfurther having an arcuate portion adjacent the said inner vertical edgethereof; said inner vertical edge of said second panel being inoverlying relationship with respect to said first panel along a linespaced from the adjacent side edge of said first panel.

2. Wall paneling construction comprising at least a first panel and asecond panel, said second panel being presented in general planar,normal relationship to said first panel, said second panel having anouter vertical edge and an inner vertical edge, said inner vertical edgeof said second panel being in overlying relationship with respect tosaid first panel along the lines spaced from the adjacent side edge ofsaid first panel; said second panel having an arcuate portion presentedin adjacency to said first panel continuous with said inner verticaledge; said first and second panels having an outwardly projectingportion of substantially like extent located adjacent the upper edgeportion of said panel and being continuous therealong.

3. A wall paneling construction as defined in claim 2 and furthercharacterized by said first and second panels having a mounting flangeadjacent their upper margins merging into said outwardly projectingportion.

4. A wall paneling construction as defined in claim 2 and furthercharacterized by said outwardly projecting portions being of generallyoutwardly arcuate contour for creating a continuous recessed opening;flexible compressible members disposed within said continuous re- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 1,917,388 7/1933 Nelson 52287 3,158,237 11/1964 Schooler5235 3,185,270 5/1965 South 52656X 3,312,585 4/1967 Hamme 52-35X3,359,574 12/1967 Stoneburner -n 5235X FOREIGN PATENTS 565,580 10/1957Belgium 52270 PRICE C. PAW, JR., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

